Written by: Alex Green

Stereo Embers is sad to report that drummer Al Fletcher has died.

He was 45.

It’s been reported that Fletcher was felled by double pneumonia and sepsis.

Considered by many to be one of the most versatile and gifted drummers around, the English-born musician played with everyone from the metal band Die So Fluid to Lee “Scratch” Perry to ska legends The Selector. Fletcher played drums on Perry’s Jamaican E.T. record, which won the Grammy in 2003 for Best Reggae Album.

He also played with Ultraviolet and Nick Marsh’s post-Flesh For LuLu band Gigantic.

An in-demand musician, Fletcher was a drummer who played with muscle, nerve and swing.

On their official Facebook page Die So Fluid wrote: “It is with deep sorrow we have to report the tragic news that our dear brother and band mate Al Fletcher passed away at 6pm BST yesterday, the 25th July. Al contracted double pneumonia followed by sepsis in a rare reaction to an infection. This caused his immune system to wage a war on his body that he was unable to survive, despite the fight he put up and the best efforts of the doctors and nursing staff at Ealing Hospital. Kept sedated throughout this sudden and vicious affliction, we can only be grateful that he suffered no pain and passed peacefully.”

The band went on to write: “Al’s passing leaves a gaping hole in all our lives as we struggle to come to terms with the fact he has gone. No one plays the drums or can tell a joke quite like you Al, you will be missed so very much. You will live on in our hearts and in all the amazing music you made. We love you.
Rest In Peace Alastair Fletcher Oct 14 1970 – July 25 2016…”